Seasons of Splendour: Tales, Myths & Legends of India [Paperback]

Madhur Jaffrey (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1994 | Age Level: 4 and up

Few nations have a richer heritage of myth and folklore than India, and this much-praised book brings the gods and goddesses, kings, princes and demons of the Hindu epics vividly to life.'

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Trafalgar Square Publishing (March 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1857933648
• ISBN-13: 978-1857933642
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,536,704 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A delightful book for both children and adults!, February 25, 2000

By 

Malini L. Goculdas (Dubai, UAE) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Seasons of Splendour: Tales, Myths & Legends of India (Paperback)

I admit it, I didn't read this book to a child...it was for me. The stories are enchanting, well-written and beautifully illustrated. Hindu mythology is very complex, but in this book the stories are clearly told. I especially liked the "personal touch" where the author has sprinkled in her own experiences and what the stories mean to her. The joint family system she grew up in was nostalgic for me (I also grew up in such a family) and would help explain this lifestyle to those unfamiliar with it. To sum up: a fascinating collection of stories and the pictures are pure eye-candy. I highly recommend this book.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Delectable meals described, beautiful illustrations, February 10, 2005

By 

Epicurean Enthusiast (Cambridge, MA, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Seasons of Splendour: Tales, Myths & Legends of India (Paperback)

I wholeheartedly disagree with the person that suggested that this book is only for very small children. This book is a wonderful "insiders" look at North Indian/Hindu culture, focusing particularly on the major religious narratives, festivals, and the culinary rituals surrounding them.

I grew up with this book (I'm 26 now) and periodically I sit down with it and re-read it because it is such a delight. The images of Madhur Jaffrey throwing chickpeas into the fire to roast them and scooping them out and eating them too quickly and scorching her mouth and fingers in her eagerness is just one of the delightful little moments of her childhood; the way she describes Holi (the paint-throwing day in India) is charming; and I will never forget how she describes her mother and sisters cooking fritters and sweet breads and other delicacies early in the morning before a fast, to tide them over for the rest of the day. The anecdotes are always beautifully linked in some way to the religious narratives, and it's a great way to gain access and insight into stories that might otherwise feel quite alien.

I highly recommend the book for parents who'd like to share with their children some non-western folktales/fairy tales, or for anyone who's interested in learning a little bit more about what it must have been like to grow up in India a generation ago.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pure Enchantment, November 26, 1999

By 

Cliff Clive (La Canada, CA USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Seasons of Splendour: Tales, Myths & Legends of India (Paperback)

So good a read-aloud book that it can be a life-long bonding experience for parent & child. A collection of indian stories soo good they've been around for 4000 years. They delight, enchant, inspire. Vibrant courage & valor! Big laughs! Illustrations are spectacular! A MUST!